LAS CRUCES, NM. – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball program saw major offensive production in a 12-9 victory over Northern Colorado to split day one of the Troy Cox Classic after falling to nationally ranked Nebraska in the morning.
The Islanders (3-4) responded in their second game of the day after a tough first game matchup against #17 Nebraska (4-2), powering 12 runs en route to topping Northern Colorado (1-4).
The 12 runs are the most scored in a game by A&M-Corpus Christi since the 2024 season opening game against Arlington Baptist when they scored 13 in that victory.
Senior
Paolina Baez especially came to play, upping her team-high RBI count to 11 already on the year after driving in five runs today. It was aided by her second home run of the year, the first to go yard multiple times on the team.
Four different Islanders scored twice in the win over the Bears, with five registering at least a pair of hits with
Crystal Davila and
CJ Castilla both going 3-for-4 at the plate. The latter also drove home four runs for the four-RBI day.
Game 6 // #17 Nebraska 20, A&M-Corpus Christi 1
The Islanders would strike immediately against #17 Nebraska, as
Paolina Baez led off the game with a double to left center for an early base runner.
Ripley Welker beat out the throw for the infield single, advancing Baez to third to allow
Skylar Heger to bring her home with the base hit through the left side for a 1-0 lead.
The Huskers proved to be a powerhouse, however, shutting down the Islanders the rest of the way while pouring in 20 runs for the win.
Game 7 // A&M-Corpus Christi 12, Northern Colorado 9
The Islanders got going again early, this time with an offensive onslaught in the second that got rolling with the double to straight center by
Katelyn Crossman. The single by Castilla sent Crossman home for the first score and was followed by Erin Castillo drawing a walk for two on. Baez then stepped up to the plate and sent her ball over right field for the three-run homer and a quick 4-0 lead.
Northern Colorado answered with a two-run home run in the next frame to chip within 4-2 but the Islanders built upon their established lead in the third which once again got started with a double this time from Davila who made her way to third on a wild pitch. She scored on the base hit from Heger who was replaced on the base paths by
Jolie Elizalde.
Karisa Lopez placed down the bunt perfectly to reach first and advance Elizalde before the two advanced once more on Crossman's sac-bunt. Castilla plated them both after sending one up the middle for the 7-2 lead.
The Bears would go on to score seven more throughout the next five innings but the Islanders solidified their victory with a lengthy fourth-inning outing that saw them pull out five more runs from their arsenal. It was powered by six hits including five consecutive singles.
Malia Williams earned the win in the circle after throwing for five innings, her third of the year. She was able to get four go down on strikes, her season-high so far.
On deck:
The Islanders will get back to the tournament late afternoon tomorrow, taking on Montana at 3:15 p.m. CT before facing host New Mexico State in an 8 p.m. CT night cap. The weekend will conclude for A&M-Corpus Christi Sunday at 12:30 p.m. CT in a rematch with the Aggies.
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